Genesis 44:22
New International Version
And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’

New Living Translation
But we said to you, ‘My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.’

English Standard Version
We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

Berean Standard Bible
So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’

King James Bible
And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

New King James Version
And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

New American Standard Bible
But we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

NASB 1995
“But we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

NASB 1977
“But we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

Amplified Bible
But we said to my lord, ‘The young man cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’

Christian Standard Bible
But we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’

American Standard Version
And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

Contemporary English Version
We told you that our father would die if Benjamin left him.

English Revised Version
And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We replied, 'The boy can't leave his father. If the boy leaves him, his father will die.'

Good News Translation
and we answered that the boy could not leave his father; if he did, his father would die.

International Standard Version
So we told Your Excellency, 'The young man cannot leave his father, because if he were to do so, his father would die.'

Majority Standard Bible
So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’

NET Bible
We said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father. If he leaves his father, his father will die.'

New Heart English Bible
And we said to my lord, 'The boy can't leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

World English Bible
We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and we say to my lord, The youth is not able to leave his father, when he has left his father, then he has died;

Young's Literal Translation
and we say unto my lord, The youth is not able to leave his father, when he hath left his father, then he hath died;

Smith's Literal Translation
And we shall say to my lord, The youth will not be able to leave his father; and did he leave his father, he died.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
We suggested to my lord: The boy cannot leave his father: for if he leave him, he will die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
We suggested to my lord: ‘The boy is not able to leave his father. For if he sends him away, he will die.’

New American Bible
We replied to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; his father would die if he left him.’

New Revised Standard Version
We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And we were saying to my Lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, and if he leaves his father, he will die.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And we said unto my lord: The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And we said to my lord, The child will not be able to leave his father; but if he should leave his father, he will die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah Pleads for Benjamin
21Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so that I can see him for myself.’ 22So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’ 23But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’…

Cross References
Genesis 42:38
But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

Genesis 43:8-9
And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. / I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.

Genesis 37:3-4
Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Genesis 37:33-35
His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” / Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

Genesis 42:4
But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.”

Genesis 44:30-31
So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, / sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.

Genesis 45:28
“Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”

Genesis 46:29-30
Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. / Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

Genesis 37:23-24
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— / and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.

Genesis 37:28
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Genesis 50:15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

1 Samuel 18:1-3
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Kings 3:26
Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!”


Treasury of Scripture

And we said to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

his father would die.

Genesis 44:30
Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

Genesis 42:38
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

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Able Boy Death Die Died Leave Leaves Youth
Genesis 44
1. Joseph's policy to stay his brothers.
6. The silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
14. They are brought before Joseph.
18. Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.














We answered
This phrase indicates a response, suggesting a dialogue or conversation. In the context of Genesis 44, the brothers of Joseph are recounting their previous interaction with him. The Hebrew root for "answered" is "עָנָה" (anah), which often implies a thoughtful or considered response. This reflects the gravity of the situation, as the brothers are trying to convey the seriousness of their family dynamics to Joseph, whom they do not yet recognize as their brother.

my lord
The term "my lord" is a respectful address, indicating submission and recognition of authority. In Hebrew, "אֲדֹנִי" (adoni) is used, which is a term of respect and honor. This reflects the brothers' acknowledgment of Joseph's high status in Egypt, even though they are unaware of his true identity. It also highlights the cultural norms of the time, where addressing someone of higher status with such respect was customary.

The boy
Referring to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, this phrase underscores his significance in the narrative. The Hebrew word "הַנַּעַר" (hanar) can mean "boy" or "young man," emphasizing his youth and vulnerability. Benjamin is central to the unfolding drama, as his presence is crucial to the brothers' mission in Egypt and their father's emotional well-being.

cannot leave his father
This phrase highlights the deep bond between Benjamin and Jacob. The Hebrew root "עָזַב" (azab) means "to leave" or "forsake," indicating that Benjamin's departure would be akin to abandonment for Jacob. This underscores the emotional dependency and protective nature Jacob has towards Benjamin, especially after the presumed loss of Joseph.

If he leaves him
The conditional "if" introduces a hypothetical scenario, emphasizing the potential consequences of Benjamin's absence. The Hebrew structure here suggests a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the precariousness of the situation. It reflects the brothers' understanding of their father's fragile state and the potential devastation that could ensue.

his father will die
This phrase conveys the dire consequences of Benjamin's absence. The Hebrew word for "die" is "מוּת" (muth), which is a strong term indicating physical death. This stark statement reflects the depth of Jacob's attachment to Benjamin and the emotional toll that losing him would take. It underscores the theme of familial bonds and the lengths to which the brothers are willing to go to protect their family.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So we said
וַנֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wan·nō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my lord,
אֲדֹנִ֔י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

‘The boy
הַנַּ֖עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

cannot
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

leave
לַעֲזֹ֣ב (la·‘ă·zōḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

his father.
אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

If he were to leave,
וְעָזַ֥ב (wə·‘ā·zaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

his father
אָבִ֖יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

would die.’
וָמֵֽת׃ (wā·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Genesis 44:22 We said to my lord 'The boy (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 44:21
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